Thefull story hadn't been broadcast when the commission responded, butpreview clips show one cab refusing to take a black man to a Southeast Washington destination, while picking up a white man 100 feet up the road and agreeing to take him to the same location.

The statement said the Commission intends to change taxi behavior with "severefines" of up to $500 and by establishing driver training and education courses.

"Our Hack Inspectors put forth a diligent effort to make sure drivers adhere to our regulations and we encourage passengers to lodge formal complaints with our office so that we may proceed to enforce Commission regulations,"Linton said.

The statement identifieda 24-hour service number to handle complaints.You can reach the hotline by calling855-484-4966 and selecting option one.